Categories
Politics & government Sports

[676] Of war is peace and UMNO is PAS!

This is one of those amusing but useless findings over the net. Type exactly “Pemuda UMNO website” into Google’s search bar and hit “I’m Feeling Lucky“.

The biggest secret in Malaysia politics! UMNO Youth is PAS! The two devils are indeed one!

Yup. On Google currently, it directs to PAS website. Another one of those creepy signs that PAS and UMNO are merging onto a spot to the right of Malaysian political spectrum.

I found this out while I was trying to confirm a story on Malaysia Today. Anyway, does anybody actually believe everything written in Malaysia Today?

p/s – Hook. Em. Horns. Bah…

Categories
ASEAN Sports

[675] Of SEA Games: Thailand versus the Philippines

The current SEA Games has been rather entertaining so far. Diplomatically-wise, that is. Recently, Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, accused that the host, the Philippines of being biased in officiating the regional biennial game. And it doesn’t end there: Thaksin plans to raise the issue at the upcoming ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Me – WTF?

But anyway, the Filipino President Gloria Arroyo then ordered an investigation into the allegation. The investigation, concluded 24 hours later revealed no unfair officiating has occurred.

Yes – the Philippines is accused of cheating and the Philippines conducted the investigation and the Philippines cleared themselves up. I suppose “conflict of interest” is an unheard concept. Not that I’m accussing of anything but still, it’s fishy.

However, that’s not the best part. The best thing is that some Filipinos conducted a protest – yes, a real protest – in front of the Thai embassy in Manila over Thaksin’s remark. Soon afterwards, Filipino legislators are demanding apology from Thaksin.

Folks, cool down. Take a deep breathe and think. It’s just a game. Stop acting like kids.

I mean, look at Malaysia. Vietnam cheated Malaysia but Malaysians aren’t over the top about it. At most, the Malaysian delegates lodged an official, in game, protest. What happens in a game stays in that game. Be a sportman.

Hell, look at how Malaysians deal with real diplomatic issues – while Indonesians were willing to go up in arms against Malaysia over Ambalat not too long ago, Malaysians just took it easy. Have a cup of teh tarik. Chill out. Oh, you want to ganyang Malaysia? Mari, mari. No need to gaduh-gaduhlah.

Point is, relax. Even Malaysia and Singapore aren’t at each other throat, yet. If Malaysia and Singapore don’t plan to get into a little squabbling, then nobody should be. Please, there’s no need to outdo us.

Nevertheless, Thaksin does make a bad diplomat. Still, he brought up a legitimate concern. The Philippines needs to be more professional in hosting the Games. Already, several other countries are having some misgiving about this edition of the Games. Rigging your own election might be your internal matter but the SEA Games doesn’t quite fall into that category.

Categories
Photography Society

[674] Of time’s eating Kuala Lumpur alive

On the same day I digitized the Jamek Mosque, I took quite a number of photographs in and around Kuala Lumpur . This is a row of deteriorating, badly damaged shophouses in the capital. Specifically, around the Dang Wangi light rail transit station. In spite of the building appearance, surprisingly, it hasn’t been abandoned.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

It’s a disheartening feeling to see buildings that once characterized Malayan cities falling into disrepair, eaten by time relentlessly. Compare all this to Singaporean shophouses. What a difference it is.

To be fair, there are other better preserved buildings of similar type here in the capital but I wish there were more. Malaysians certainly could learn a thing or two from our friends down south.

When I wanted to get shots of the structure for my collection, at first, I was a bit apprehensive to approach it. The place rather secluded; you’ll never know when a prick’s going to come up to you and ask for your wallet. Nevertheless, in the end, my curiosity got the better of me. And nothing unsavory happened.

About the photo, I had to ticker with it so that the colors are more defined. The original is rather bland; too bland to be of any interest. I feel my photo don’t do justice to my subject. While I was there, I was awed at the sight. There was something grand and sad about it. And the original failed to capture that feeling. Even the edited version doesn’t properly convey the message across.

Categories
Environment Politics & government

[673] Of COP 11 of UNFCCC

The Kyoto Protocol will expire in 2012 and there is a need to continue to fight climate change even after 2012. The current Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – yeah, it’s that mouthful – plans to sustain the fight into post-Kyoto period. That plan has been dubbed as son of Kyoto.

Unfortunately, like the upcoming World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Hong Kong, this climate change meeting is expected to fail unless a compromise is achieved. The main problem is, as it has always been for the past few years, the United States refusal to commit itself into any treaty that will put a cap on its greenhouse gases emission.

Some has insisted the parties to carry on without the US participation. That might be the most viable solution at the moment. Others on the other hand are calling for a more lenient targets to persuade to US to join in.

I definitely believe that in order to combat climate change effectively, all major emitters need to join in. That includes the US. China is the distant second largest greenhouse emitter. Tony Blair with confidence that I admire goes further by stating “there will be a binding international agreement to succeed Kyoto when the Protocol expires in 2012 that will include all major economies.”

I don’t share his optimism. In my opinion, the only way that is possible is to see a US president that will agree to Kyoto’s underlying principles. A person like John McCain or Hillary Clinton. I truly hope John McCain will make it to the White House in 2008.

Given the gloom prospect of failure, I’d be happy even with the most modest success coming out from the COP. It’d be a tragery to see a COP 10 in Buenos Aires to repeat itself in Montreal.

In the meantime, it seems that China is enjoying the moral high ground. Sometime earlier, China urged the US to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This urging is important because it may signal that China is willing to commit itself seriously to a post-Kyoto treaty to cap its emissions. That itself is hope.

p/s – happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to the __earthinc, happy birthday to you.

Yup. Four years of the __earthinc and still wanting to marry a tree.

Categories
Photography

[672] Of Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur

Caught this last Sunday while I was out in the city. The domes belong to Jamek Mosque in Kuala Lumpur .

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

The mosque is probably the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur. In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful mosque in the capital.